Del Rio, Texas, August 2009, 10:17 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

I know it has been a while since I last wrote in here; please forgive me.  I have been ill; it's only in the past few weeks that I've actually started feeling like myself again.

Had shingles, a very painful condition; still have them, but the sores are getting better, smaller.  Have medication to take to help clear the condition.  Also have had more problems with my back, my arthritis; have had two back surgeries (2006 and 2008); it doesn't seem to be doing any good:  my back still pains me.  Walking now on two (Lofstrand) crutches or, if out, I use my scooter; it's easier on me.

The children are all getting big:  the youngest, Humberto, Jr., is no longer so little; he will be starting the second grade come next month.  Rico, Chico, and Magda are all into sports, and Negra continues to be daddy's girl:  she has me wrapped around her little finger.  As for Rosita, our eldest child, she is still at the special school she attends; we don't see her but a few times a year.  We miss her when she's not here; however, she is so involved it is hard to care for her, especially in light of my own (physical) problems.  (Rosie has severe physical and mental disabilities.)

I find it hard to believe; it's been four years and two months since my beloved esposa, Diane, died.  She was only in her forties; she died of brain cancer that spread throughout her entire body; she suffered terribly.  I miss her as much now as I did back then when she first died; the older kids still ask when Mami is coming back; it breaks my heart, each and every time!

It seems since Diana died, my own health has taken a turn for the worse, as evident by the two back surgeries I had.  Don't know why I even bothered; it still didn't help the crippling pain, and I still have trouble getting around easily.  I might as well not have had the surgery done at all:  I'm no better than I was before I had the operaciones (operations).

The weather here in Del Rio is hot, steamy:  it may say fall is around the corner; it feels more like the beginning of summer, with highs in the 100's during the day and lows in the middle eighties at night.  Not much relief from the heat at all; thank God for central air conditioning!  When it is hot like this, we don't get out much in it, the heat really bothers me, especially since my health's gotten so bad.  Guess that means I'm getting old, as we all are.  *grins*

Well, I have to get ready to go see my back doctor (have an appointment at one), so I will go for now.  I will write in here again soon; again, I am sorry for the long delay in letting you know how I have been doing.  It's been a bad few years, and unless we get a miracle, I don't see much in the way of improvement for me or mi familia.  Just keep us in your prayers; we really could use them!

Thank you in advance!

~Sincerely, your Texas friend, Hildago H. Aguilar.  :(